New Zealand Game Bird Species

New Zealand is home to a range of game birds, each with their own particular characteristics and preferences.

Early European settlers introduced 25 different species of waterfowl and 29 species of upland game birds to New Zealand for hunting.

Only four species of waterfowl established, and of the upland game birds, only Californian quail, brown quail, chukor and pheasant remain in huntable populations.

The full list of New Zealand game birds declared to be game (as set out in the First Schedule of the Wildlife Act 1953) can be found here.

Information on the hunting status of Canada geese (following the species being removed from the First Schedule of the Wildlife Act 1953) can be found here.

Fish & Game New Zealand, and every person who hunts game birds in NZ, has a responsibility to understand and manage the welfare of each species for future generations to enjoy. Understanding even a little about the behaviour of individual species can make your hunting significantly more successful.